Full Name: Norman Banks
Position: CEO of Southern Mapping
Main Activity of the Company: Aerial surveys, satellite data, mapping and land information services
Date and Place of Birth: Port Elizabeth, 1961
Education: Matric, Northlands Boys High, Durban, 1978; BSc (survey), University of Natal, 1984
First Job: Land surveyor, Eskom
Size of First Pay Packet: R2 400 a month
Value of Assets under Your Control: R30-million
Number of People under Your Leadership: 35 employees
Management Style: Consultative (with the occasional lapse into autocratic)
Personal Best Achievement: Getting my wife to put up with me for 27 years
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My wife
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Peter Moir
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Any of the old surveyors who first mapped Africa; the accuracy of their work is amazing and their stories would be hugely entertaining
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Brian Joffe
Philosophy of Life: God helps those who help themselves
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Helping to create Africa’s first Lidar company
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Not handling a messy shareholder dispute very well
Hope for the Future: That we begin to realise the unbelievable potential in our country and in Africa
Favourite Reading: History, biographies
Favourite TV Programme: Sport
Favourite Food/Drink: Italian/beer
Favourite Music: Rock
Favourite Sport: Running, triathlon, rock climbing
Hobbies: Travel
Car: Toyota Hilux
Pets: Bull terriers
Miscellaneous Dislikes: People who are not proud of their job, lawlessness on our roads
Married: To Diane
Children: Ryan, 25; Lara, 22
Clubs: Fitness from Africa (running club)